Can



Patented Nov. 5, 1929 UNITED STATES EDWARD HILDEBRANDT, OF TACOMA, WASHINGTON CAN Application filed June 14,

This invention relates to improvements in cans and more particularly to cans of that character having their ends, or covers, seamed onto the body; it being the principal object of the invention to provide means for easily and quickly detaching an end from the body when it is desired to open the can.

More specifically stated, it is the object of the invention to provide a can of the above character wherein a wire is inclosed within an end seam and encircling the end of the can with one end thereof exposed for attachment to a key, or other suitable device, whereby the wire may be torn out of the seams to thereby sever the end or cover from the body so as to leave the end freeto be lifted off.

A still further object of the invention resides in the manner of inclosing the wire so that a smooth and even edge will be left after the cover has bee-n thus detached.

In accomplishing this and other objects of the invention, I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a can that is equipped with an end detaching Wire in accordance with the details of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating the manner of detaching the can end by the use of a key attached to the wire.

Figure 3 is an enlarged, sectional detail of the seam of the can whereby an end is attached to the body and showingthe disposit-ion of the wire therein.

Figure 4: is a fragmental, side view of the seam with parts broken away to better illustrate the disposition of the end detaching wire.

Figure 5 is a similar View illustrating the drawing out of the wire forthe purpose of severing the can end.

Figure 6 is a sectional detail of the seam with the end detached from the body of the can.

Referring more in detail to the drawings- 1 designates a can body and 2 the can end, or cover, which is seamed onto the body; the

body having an outwardly and downwardly 1926. Serial No. 115,956.

turned flange 3 at its upper end and the cover, or end, having a downturned peripheral flange t that overlies and closely fits the flange 3 with an inwardly and upwardly turned edge flange 5r disposed between the can body and its downturned flange 3. A sealing compound 7 seals the seam between the flange 3 and 5. The machine used for applying and seaming the end onto the body is not material to this invention, but it will be stated that this operation is done in'accordance with common practice so as to provide a tight, durable and nonleaking connection. Inclosed within the seam and encircling the body is a small, steel wire 10. This is 10- cated just beneath the lower edge of the downturned flange 3 of the body and within the base of the channel formed between the flange 4t and its upturned portion 5. The ends of the wire 10 overlap slightly and one end is drawn down through the upturned flange 5, through the slit 6 provided therefor, as indicated in Figure 4t and a short end portion 10 is exposed at the side of the can body so that it can be connected with a key 12, as indicated in Figures 2 and 5, and wound thereon for lghe purpose of detaching the end from the ody. 7

Assuming that the can is so equipped with a wire, to open the same, the exposed end 10 of the wire is inserted through an opening in the key to connect it thereto and the key is then turned so as to wind the wire thereabout. As the wire is wound onto the key, it tears I a slit 14: in the seam, as shown in Figure 5,

which detaches the cover so that it may be lifted off. It is to be noted that since the wire is embedded at the base of the seam, when it is torn through the seam, it loosens the flange of the cover so that the cover may be easily lifted off. It also leaves the ragged edge of the flange protected by the downturned and overhanging flange 3 of the body.

While I have shown the ends of the wire slightly overlapped in the seam, it is intended, in some instances, to have the ends separated a short distance so that the cover can not be entirely detached by the wire, but will leave a short length of material which will serve as a hinge for the cover. It is also apparent that devices other than the key 12 may be used for pulling out the wire such as having a ring or a tab permanently fixed to the exposed end of the Wire which may be grasped for this purpose.

It is also preferred, in making the seam, to crease the seam inwardly, as at 15, so as to clearly define the position of the wire and to somewhat Weaken the metal so that it will facilitate its being torn apart on a straight line about the lower edge of the seam.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is:

In a can having its body provided with an outwardly and downwardly turned end'flange and an end fitted to the body having a flange turned down over the body flange and then turned upwardly beneath the same with a slit therein from the edge to the turn, and a wire enclosed Within the seam about the lower edge of the body flange and having one end drawn through the slit and from the seam to the outside of the body for connection with a key, or the like.

Signed at Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington, this 28th day of September, 1925.

EDWARD HILDEBRANDT. 

